courage

noun

cour·​age ˈkər-ij How to pronounce courage (audio)
ˈkə-rij
: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty
Choose the Right Synonym for courage

courage, mettle, spirit, resolution, tenacity mean mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship.

courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

the courage to support unpopular causes

mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened.

her spirit was unbroken by failure

resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat.

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

Examples of courage in a Sentence

Eunice Kennedy Shriver … didn't buy into the propaganda of her day that women had to be soft and submissive. That took courage back then, because she grew up in a family that expected a lot from the boys and very little from the girls. Maria Shriver, Time, 26 Oct. 2009
Sometimes when I debate whether to risk my individuality or conform, the memory of my son's picture brings me courage. Sue Monk Kidd, Reader's Digest, August 1990
But as long as your courage holds out you may as well go right ahead making a fool of yourself. All brave men are fools. Robert Frost 17 Apr. 1915, in Selected Letters of Robert Frost1964
She has the courage to support unpopular causes. It takes courage to stand up for your rights.
Recent Examples on the Web Squiggly synths and guitars coat the undercurrent of the fizzy song, which belies the vulnerability in her lyrics about finding the courage to move past a relationship gone kaput and excavate her inner strength. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 The reversal has even led Fox anchors to attack other outlets for having the courage to hold the wall against Trump’s lies and fact check his claims. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 This historical drama spotlights the courage and dilemmas of a group of labor lawyers, offering a reflection on political ideals and the fight for democracy. Callum McLennan, Variety, 5 Mar. 2024 What is your definition of courage? Use your voice. The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024 But her reporting here, on the unexpected resilience of Ukraine’s beauty industry, comes together beautifully in an inspiring piece on the courage and resourcefulness of ordinary citizens in a time of war. Longreads, 1 Mar. 2024 Having the courage to change yourself when the circumstances demand it. Mark Nevins, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Drum up the courage to have a private conversation with your mother. Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 29 Feb. 2024 Your strength and your courage this whole month has been unbelievable. Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'courage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corage, from Anglo-French curage, from quer, coer heart, from Latin cor — more at heart

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of courage was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near courage

Cite this Entry

“Courage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/courage. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

courage

noun
cour·​age ˈkər-ij How to pronounce courage (audio)
ˈkə-rij
: strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger or difficulty
Etymology

Middle English corage "the heart as a source of feelings, spirit, confidence," from early French curage (same meaning), from coer "heart," from Latin cor "heart" — related to cordial

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